Method and apparatus for inspecting cartridge shells



Aug. 30,

1932. F. w. oLlN ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTINGCARTRIDGE SHELLS Filed March 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet v1 ug. 30, 1932. F. w. oLlN ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSPEGTING CARTRIDGE SHELLS Filed Marh 9, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 MT/ W Aug. 30, 1932. F W. OL|N ET AL 1,875,120

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSPEGTING CARTRIDGE SHELLS Filed March 9, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 f r llll lllIll Illl. r

-itmll Patented Aug. 30, 1932 ,juairanfsrarss birreria ortica FRANKLIN LI1\T, ALTON, ILLINOIS, ANI) ROBERT Gr. CLYNE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNORS TO WESTERN CARTRIDGE COMPANY, OF EAST ALTON, i

ILLINOIS, A-CORPORATION 0F DELAW'ARE METHODANDmAPPARATUS FOR INSPECTING- CARTRIDGE SHELLS Y Application led March 9, 19538. Serial No. 260,441.

Arlhis invention pertains to inspection, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for inspecting cartridgeA shells during the manufacture-of cartridges.

@ne ofthe objects of this invention is to provide' 'a method and means by which the inspection of cartridge shells and the like may be simplilied Vand the time required therefor reduced.

Another object is to provide a method and means for inspecting'shells, by which the handling of the shells will be reduced to a minimum. v

" Another object is to provide a method and means whereby the shells may be inspected in groups, so as to reduce the time consumed.

Another object isto provide a method and means for handling theshells in groups so as to reduce the amount of manual manipulation required of the inspector. y

Another object is to provide a method and means wh-erebythe shells may be displayed before the inspector in such a way as torender the detection of defects easier and more certain. l v' Further objects will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,'in which- Figure-1 is an end view, partly in section, showing an inspecting machine embodying this invention; Y

Figure 2 is a plan view of thesame;

Figure 3 is ai detail, taken on line 3-3 of Figure-2; f e.' l' Figure 4v 'is anenlarged View, similar to Figure 1, shown only 'for the better illustration of the operation of the machine; and Figure is a sidepview of the shell clipl y Referring to thevdrawings, 1 designates a stand of any suitable design, upon which the device may be mounted at a convenient height. Abase 2 ismounted on the stand 1 andv carries a bracket 3.v Journaled in bearinOs 4 in the bracket is a shaft 5. Loosely mounted for rotationon the shaft 5 is a clutch vmember 6, which has mounted thereon and secured thereto,by means of a key 7, so as to rotate therewith, a pulley 8 adapted to be driven by a belt 9 from any suitable source of power, .not shown. The Jfrontface of the clutch member 6 is provided with a recess formed with a series of semicircularsockets 10 about its inner rim, as shown in Figure 3. This socket is adapted to receive a projection 11 on the rear vend of a second clutch member 12, secured by a key 13fto the shaft 5. The clutch member 12 has journaled therein a locking dog 14, which has its rear end cut away as shown at 15 (Figure 1). The dog 14 is adapted to project into one of the sockets 10 in the clutch member 6 so as to lock the two clutch members together. When, however, this dog is turned so that its cut away portion registers with the sockets 10, the clutch will be disengaged and the member 6 may rotate without carrying with it the member 12.

The forward end of the dog 14 is provided with an ear 16 tensioned by a spring 17, which tends to turn the dog into locking position ted line position of Figure 3, the stop is l A disengaged from the ear 10, thereby permitting the spring 17 to rotate the dog` into locking position so as to engage the clutch. When, as theclutch rotates, the bar 18 is returned to its full line position, the ear 10 will engage the stop 20 to be yieldingly arrested thereby. This rotates the dog 14 so as to disengage the clutch and at the same time arrests the clutch v member l2.

A treadle 23 has an adjustable foot-piece 24 adapted to rest on the floor and is connected by a link 25 to ay lever 26 pivoted at 27 on the stand 1. The other end of the lever 26 is connected by a link 28 with a lever 29 pivoted at 30 on the bracket 3. The lever 29 has a pointed tip adapted to engage the lower end of a spring catch 31 seated in a recess 32 in the stop bar 1'8 (see Figures 3 and 4). Depressing the treadle 23 will rock the lever 26 so as to raisethe link 28 and the lever 29, which at this time is caught under the catch y Y tvitlrit the: shatt. 5, Whichis keyed thereto. v VThis shaft also carries a spiral gear 3.3 mesh- I f so Mounted at 31. This raisesithe stop barV 18 so Vas to rerails 45 and to maintain theirniin upright posilease the ear lfroni the stop 20. Releasing the 'ear 16 Will permit thedog 1-4to effect cn- I gagelnent of the clutch and, as thev member 6 5 runs continuously While thepulley 8- is being driven-the member 12 Will beV carried lin ro- Y tation along With the member. As the npf Ward movement of the lever 29 continues, it eventually -p asses ontfrom beneath the 'catch 31,7'and the? stop 'bar lis thereby released so as to drop back to its full line position (Fig-V ure In this position the stop will arrest Vthe ear 1G afterone'revolution of' the clutch member and release the' clutch. It Will be seen, therefore, that a singledcpression :of the tre-edle; 23; Iwill;'cause onlyy one revolutionL of c .the cli-itch; member l2, regardless ot whether thevoperator retains the treadlez depressed position or not. When the: treadle is releasedthe link. 2 8- and thelever 29 are ref turned bfyfgravityto thev full line position, Figure 4, thercatchrl permitting movement of. .thetip of the lever 29 past the stop bla-r, as indicated in dottedy lines ci Figure 4.

= Rotation of the. clutch member'lff?, carries ,with a, corresponding gear 34.' suitably keyed to ashattfcarried bearings on thetbraclset l The gears: and 34 have a tWoyto oncfratioo thatone revelation of til-io gezind?) Willcause a halt revolution oft the vgear ,The shaft 35 carrieszatone'end a disc 2J( provi-ded With diametrically opposite VV notch-es 38 engaged by a, roller 392 ontheen-d of a locking lever ,4Q pivotedat41fonthe bracket and tensioned'by a springY n This lockingleverkpservesto lool; theshatt 35i acf; curately imposition at. the-end @teach half revolution. y

,and so as to span the front vout the machine is a pair otfbars 44, to which aresecured flat strips. or rails'r45. The rails 45 `are spaced apart the proper distance so as to receive between them the body ofl a cartridgeshell 46.,

e butfso that the rim of the shell base' Will not pass therethrongh, lout the shell` will ber snpported, onth-e rails by its. rim, as shown Figure 4. The rails: 45 are preferably hinged, as'indicated; at 47,. to the .bars-44 so that `they may be raised for the adins-tment i f of the: machine or case of accident as will k.55 .c

i nut-52. vyThisdevice servesV to tension the wiresys49, which are placed f as; to engage i j thelovverportionof the bodies46 of the shells 4.61) 'so-fas toguiide themin their Vpassage along Y the ends of the base-L2 are end f lframes 43. `Mounted onthe vend frames.y 43

tion. which the shells may berslidl into place inthe machine. e

H:As the shells, as they enter the Ways, in

close contact With one another, theyimust be spaced apart in order to accommodate :tur-

The rails 45 thus provide Ways uponV ther operation'of the machine. In yorderV to c accomplishthispurpose, apai-r of arms 53 are sectvred te a slaaftffl-suitably ljournaled on the base. 'The upper ends of these armsareV joined by a bar 55, which carriesa series of` tingers''spaced 'at' regular intervalstherealong, These fingers have an arcuate shape,rv

as'shown in Figure 4, andare of progres,-

p-ositio-n-ed in progressively receding order sivelyvarying length, so; that their Ytips are` f fromy one end of; the. machine tothe; other, as

shown inthe drawings; fPivoted at 5,7 to one ottheaaams?) is 'an adjustable link58, Whose other endisfgnided by a pin ands'lot con-v nection 59,.-on the bracket. 3l, v .The upperend of the link, 581 carries a cam roller t` 0l.'enggagy e ing a cam 6l on the shatt.; `'vlll'ie arm- 5'3 is tensi'oned by a-fspringGQ, -Vvvh'ich keeps the rollerV 60 in engagerne'nt.v with the cam 6,1'.

cant isprovidedwith a recessed portion f 63, which, as the cam rotates, permits the link tofmoveffupwardly and the arms .tog`

swing totherighty-Figurc 4, under the influ-v ence of. the sp-ringQ;` During this move` ment, the lingers 56yk engage-theshells 46j in l succession, from left to right of the machine,` as seen in Figure 2.v Each linger as 1t engages its sh'ellfmovesall those shells to the right, o-fita slight distance to the right. As thefngers succcssivelyfengage their shells,

each she-ll isconlined between a pair of fingers andv` isthereby; position-Jed ontheways so that the shells are uniformly spaced therealong.

Y Monntedto slide Avertically on a pair of colf i nmns; 64 and 65, ttpstandingfromthe base 2,

is abra-.cket 66; This. bracket extends for- Wardly from the columnsiandcarries at-its lforward end a` cross-bar ,67 extending to nearly the full length ofthe machine and carryingin unitormlyspaced relation there- 'on a seriesof pins or holders-,68 Whoseends are tapered as shown. These holdersare 'y positioned so that each'is below afshell as spaced. on the Waysb'y the 1in-gers v56. Pivotedy -tothe bracket 66atg69ris, ak link 70, Whose Yother 'end is pivoted at`71 tof thel'd'isc 37. In

the; vposition sho-Wn| vin Figure 4-the bracket {it} and its holders 68 are? depressed so asl to be clear ot. the shells. When the disc 37 makes a vhalfl revolution, f as Vpreviously described,"

the link ZO-will carry the bracket. 66y upwardly on the colu1nns64 andr65, tothe position shownin dottedjlinfesin Figurev 4. During iasV this movement, the holders 68 enter the shells tion;V above the ways, las shown `dotted lines rounded'so as toV provide pivots upon which the shells may rotate. In the elevated vposition shown in Figuref4, the shells are positioned before the eyes of the inspector in such a way that examination is rendered easy and simple. By passing the hand along the rowl of shells, each 4is rotatedlon its holder so that all sides thereof are brought into View. In order to further facilitate the inspection of all sides of the shells, a mirror 72 is adjustably' mounted upon the cover 73 of the machine. This coveris mounted on the end frames 43 so as to cover and protect the machine and also protect the operator. against accidental contact with the moving parts. ,The mirror 72 being placed behind the, shells, the operator may see both sides of the shell at'the same time. 1 n

It will'be noted that the recessed portion 63 of the Vcam lextends over'only about one quarter ofthe circumference of the cam. Accordingly, it will be clear that, when the shells have been properly spaced, the fingers 56 are again withdrawn before the holders 68 rise to a suicient height to lift the shells from the ways.' Y

The device is operated as follows: v

The pulley 8 is driven continuouslyfrom a suitable source of power during the operation of the machine. A group of shells is received preferably by means of a suitable chute, not shown, from a source of supply and delivered to the right-hand end of the machine, Figure 2, so as to slide upon the rails v45. A suitable number of shells having been deposited upon the ways, the operator depresses the treadle 23. This operates, as described, to ylift the stop bar 18, permitting the clutch to engage so as to carry the shaft 5 in rotationwith the pulley. v One rotation of thisshaft, operating through the gears 33 and 34, effects a half rotationof the shaft 85. At the completion of one revolution ofthe shaft 5, the .stop 20 again arrests the earl so as to disengage the clutch and prevent the shaft A5 from making more Vthan one revolution. During the first part of the half revolution lof the shaft 35, the lingers 56 are swung rearwardly through the operation of the cam 61, so as to'separa-te and space the shells uni- .ormly along the ways. The fingers are again retracted and thereafter the holders 68 raise the .shells above the ways to the dotted lin-e position of Figure 4. At the end of this half revolution, the device is locked in position by the lever 40. The vinspector now examines the exterior ofthe shells either directly or in the mirror 72, or both. Upon completion of the examination of the exterior, a clip bar 74, provided with a pair of clips 7 5 for each shell, is placed upon the group of shells, so that the clips 75 will grasp the rim of each .shell base. By lifting the bar 74, the group of shells is then removed from the machine. The bar is now inverted so as to bring the open ends of the shells to the top, and the interiors of these shells are now examined. The shells are all held in upright position, so that the interior may be rapidly inspected by passing the glance quickly from one to another. In this position also, the light may be directed to the interior so that defects are easily detected. Upon completion of the interior inspection, the operator may deposit the entire group in a suitable receptacle by a simple side pressure on the shells, so as to disengage their bases from the clips.

In the meantime the operator has again depressed the treadle 23 so as to cause a second half revolutionof the disc 37. This operation simply permits the links 70 to lower the brackets 66 and the holders 68, and the device is again locked by the lever 40. In this position, the machine is ready to receive a new batch of shells, and the operation is repeated.

It will be seen that this invention provides a novel and effective method of inspecting cartridge shells. The shells are handled in groups. A group is received on the ways, the shells are separated, and the entire group is then lifted above the ways to a position convenient for careful inspection. The exteriors are inspected, rotating the shells, if necessary, and examined then with the aid of the mirror 72. The exteriors having been inspected, the shells are removed in a group quickly and by a simple operation, by means of the clip bar 74, and inverted so that the interiors may be rapidly and effectively examined.

The device of this invention is simple and effective and provides means for inspecting shells very rapidly. The device handles the shells in groups. One operation of the treadle is accompanied by one step in the operation of the machine. It is immaterial whether the operator releases the treadle or holds it down, so that the position of the treadle has nothing to do with the accurate operation of the machine. The shells are separated and then picked up by the holders and lifted to a proper position fo-r inspection. The spacing of the shells is carried out progressively, since the fingers 56 engage the shells in succession. It will be clear, therefore, that each shell must be moved only a certain small distance by its finger, and there is no possibility of the fingers jamming against the shells on account of too great a displacement of the shell from its proper place. The ways 45 are hinged so that,Y as suggested above, in case of accident, such as the operator operating the treadle while the lingers are between the ways, there is no possibility of jamming, since theways will hinge Aupwardly so as to release the hand. The guide wires 49 support the shells against the pressure of the fingers 56 so that tipping and possible disengagement of the shells from the ways during 4the spacing operation are avoided.

V' that this inventionisnot liinitedto the epe.

i Whilethe machine has been described as-a unitary f construction, it will be understood that subcombinationsV are of utility', and

such use. contemplated byxthis invention.l It yis further obviousthat various changes maybe made, vvithiiithe scope of the appended claims, inthe details `ofi.eonstrifiction Witlioiitde artiii' freni-the s irit of thisiii- .as lo vfevntion. it is,ltherefore, to be understood ciiic detailsshovfn andA described. A. c d

`Having*thus described the invention, what claimed is ;y

?`1.`-A`n inspection devicey for vcartridgef shells., comprising, Ways adaptedtoureceive 'a group'of shells, aseries of ineers'adapted to s nace the shells on said Wai' s and a holder 7 having elements adapted to enterr the spaced said vva'ys.

2. An inspection .f shells andlmovableto shift-the shells from devicel for cartridge shells, comprising, Ways adapted to receive a "lgroupof shells,v a series ofingers adapted foninovenient to space lthe shells on said Ways, a kholder havingy elements 'adapted to enter'v the spaced shells and inovahle'fto shift n thejshells from' said Vvvays,k and means for shells, comprising, Ways adapted to receive vra i VgroupA of shells, a seriesofiingers adapted for movement to space the shells on. said Ways, a

moving said lingers andsaid holderinftimed relation. Y

inspection device for cartridge -holder having elements adapted' t@ enter lthe spaced shells andniovable to. shift the 'shells from said'vvays, a vmanipulative element', and

. operating means controlled by said manipulative'eleinent adapted uponalternate manip'- v fulations thereof to operatesaidy fingers and z een `agroup of shells, a series of fingers movable `to engage the shells and having Ytheir tips thereafter shift holder.V Y i d l Y .v

4. An inspection f device for fcartridge said' holder and to returnfsaid shells, comprising', Ways adapted to: receivey a group' "of shells, a seriesof fingers adapted for movement ktofspace the shells on said Ways, aholderJhaving elements adapted to enter thespaced shellsl and movable to shift the shells from said Ways, a. manipulative 'el'eniena'l 'and operatingjineans controlled by said manipulative element i adapted upon manipulation thereofto cause said fingers to pass between the shells' on said rvvaysfto space rthe same and rthereafter to shift said holder vto elevate the shells relative said Waysl,"

d 5. An inspection device `for cartridge shells, comprising, VWaysadapted to receive of operationsan'd tofstopfpositively, at the v end of the cycle regardless ofi p'ositionfof a group: of' shells,a serieso-fy'iingers adapted the end of each "ycle-"iegardl'ess,oftheposi# icffriemeihoa :0i ifispsaing cartridge Ways,a` liolderfhaving! elements ladapted to Y lenter the lspaced shells and movable to shift device for cartridge v :the shells from `said Ways, aji'nanipulative ele-ment, and' operating means controlledby said manipulative element vadaptedto move said lingers and said holdeithrough V'a Avcycle o said element. I

8. An inspection device` for cartridge s shells, comprising-Ways adaptedto receive for. movement'fto spaceftlie shellsfon said Ways,l a holder/having elements adapted to enter the' spaced :shells and' movable tojsl'iiftv fthefshells from said Ways, ap'manipulative'`A element, and operating; means' controlledby I said manipulative element 'adapted -to nieve o said fingers and said holder throughdiiierent cycles of 'operation and to stopv 'positively at f 'tion'of said element. l f A Y l o 9. An apparatusfor iiispec'tiifig cartridge shells,` coinpri'singglv means for 'receiving a group of' shells, means fershifting thegroup v of vshells relative said' receiving'*meanstoa i. position with their bases exposed, anda clip bar: adapted to grasp.' hold the haseV .franges-0f the *Sheng pf the lgroupywhereby f the group maybe removed said. y shifting meai-isf.`

shells, ycomprising,V arranging the shells of a group in Ya rovv, thereafterrspacingk the shells l inthe rowv successivelyv therealongand ele"- vating the spaced shells for examination-,

' v1l. Thek methodofiii'specting vcartridiie, shells, "comprising, larr:inging-v the@ shells'of a 'group invv a? row, thereafteriA spacing ,the

shells in therovv successively.therealonggfeni y i i gaging a group of' tlie sp acedfshellsinterio-rly, ,.v. and shiftiiigthe shells so engaged ,forjexarnination.` Y o Y In testimony whereof IaiiiX my signature ,this l6thday of November, 1927.

Inle'stiniony whereof Iaiiix mysignature tinsicinaaypf November, i927'. j

positioned inprogressively receding order,

and means for inoving'said iingersso as to engage the 'shells' in succession in order to i space the samel on said Ways'.

6i. An inspection; device for cartridge ishells, comprising, Waysv Tadt'ipted to receive Y a group of' shells,f*anda seriesof'fingers 1 y FRANKLIN W. oLiN.

ific

Rosana G.' CLYNEQ i 

